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Ratification of the 13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment ended slavery in the United States. It made it illegal to own slaves anywhere in the country. This was an important step to give freedom and rights to African Americans after the Civil War. -
Transcontinental Railroad Completion
The Transcontinental Railroad connected the eastern and western United States, making travel and trade faster and easier. This helped unite the country and encouraged westward expansion. -
Ratification of the 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. It guaranteed equal protection under the law, making it a key part of civil rights and helping to protect the rights of all Americans. -
Ratification of the 15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. It prohibited denying the right to vote based on race or color. This amendment was a major step toward voting equality after the Civil War. -
The Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 ended the disputed 1876 presidential election. In exchange for allowing Rutherford B. Hayes to become president, federal troops were withdrawn from the South. This ended Reconstruction and led to the rise of segregation. -
The Dawes Act
The Dawes Act divided Native American tribal land into small pieces for individual families to farm to encourage farming and assimilation into American society. However, it led to loss of Native land and tribes being forced apart. -
The Wounded Knee Massacre
he Wounded Knee Massacre happened in South Dakota. It happened when the U.S. Army tried to arrest a Lakota Sioux leader named Big Foot. They wanted to stop their traditional Ghost Dance. During the arrest, a fight broke out and U.S. soldiers ended up killing around 150 Lakota Sioux men, women, and children. This sad event ended Native American fights in the area and shows how unfairly Native people were treated. -
The Spanish American War
The Spanish-American War started on April 21, 1898, and ended on August 13, 1898. It was between the United States and Spain because Cuba wanted to be free. The war began after the USS Maine exploded in Cuba’s harbor. Newspapers used yellow journalism to tell big stories that made people want war. The United States won quickly and took control of places like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. -
The Great Migration
During this time, millions of African Americans moved from the rural South to cities in the North and West. They sought better jobs, education, and escape from racism. This migration changed American cities and culture forever. -
The Stock Market Crash of 1929
During this time, many people tried to sell their stocks all at once, causing prices to fall quickly. Many investors lost a lot of money, and banks failed. This crash started the Great Depression, a very hard time when millions of people lost their jobs and homes. -
The Great Depression
It lasted through the 1930s. It was the longest and worst economic downturn in U.S. history. Millions lost jobs, homes, and savings. Banks and businesses closed, and many families struggled to survive.